Korea e-Arrival Card: Who Must Fill It Out, When, and How (Free)

Yes, almost every foreign visitor to Korea has to submit an arrival declaration, and the way to do it is the free online e-Arrival Card at e-arrivalcard.go.kr. You can file it up to 3 days before you land, and it takes no fee and no approval. Travelers with a valid K-ETA, registered foreign residents and airline crew do not need one. This page reflects the official sites as read in October 2026.

1. What the e-Arrival Card is

The e-Arrival Card is the online version of the entry declaration form that foreign visitors used to fill out by hand. The Ministry of Justice's e-Arrival Card guide says a submitted e-card has the same validity as the paper card, so you do not fill out a second form on arrival.

Incheon Airport's immigration page says it replaces the traditional paper form.

On paper forms, two sources are worth reading together. The Korea Tourism Organization announced in February 2025 that paper cards could still be used until December 2025 and that the paper form was planned to be unavailable after that. Plan on the online card, not a form on the plane.

2. Who has to submit it, and who does not

The Ministry's January 2025 notice says all foreign nationals entering Korea must submit the entry declaration, with these exceptions:

• Registered residents in Korea, including permanent residents and those who have reported their domestic residence
• Foreign nationals holding a valid K-ETA
• Certain group tourists on group visas and some transit-related visa-free groups
• Airline crew members and similar

Incheon Airport's page lists the same core groups: registered foreign nationals, valid K-ETA holders and airline crew.

2.1. How this connects to the K-ETA

The e-Arrival Card guide states it is a separate system from the K-ETA, so do not confuse them. A K-ETA is an authorization you need before boarding. The e-Arrival Card is a declaration you submit before landing.

The link is that an approved K-ETA exempts you from the arrival card. The K-ETA application guide says approved holders pass immigration more conveniently because they do not submit one. Being visa-free or exempt from the K-ETA does not by itself exempt you from the arrival card: unless you hold a valid K-ETA or fall in another exempt group, you submit the e-Arrival Card. Our guide to whether you need a K-ETA for Korea covers who needs one.

3. When to submit

The window is short, and it is counted in Korean time:

• Earliest: 3 days before arrival, based on Korean Standard Time (KST).
• Validity: the card lapses 72 hours after submission. The guide also says it loses validity if you have already gone through Korean immigration, so a new trip needs a new card.
• Late is fine, in principle: Incheon's page says you can submit from 72 hours before arrival until the moment you hand in your arrival card.

If your plans change after submitting (purpose of entry, stay information or departure date), you can edit the card on the official website before inspection. The arrival date can only be corrected within 3 days of the first submission.

4. What to have ready

The e-Arrival Card guide lists what to prepare:

1. A valid passport
2. A valid email address (the issue number is sent there)
3. Date of entry and entry flight number
4. Information on your place of stay
5. Departure date, with departure flight number optional

Incheon's page adds that the form asks for purpose of visit, contact information and occupation.

5. Group and family submissions

On a PC you can submit for up to 1,000 people at once; on a phone's mobile web the limit is 9. VISITKOREA says a family member or another person must submit for visitors under 14, and the guide says false or inaccurate details submitted on your behalf carry the same penalties.

6. Do you need to print it?

No. The guide says you are not required to bring the e-Arrival Card to entry inspection, although knowing the issue number can help. VISITKOREA adds that you can save a PDF or screenshot, but it is not required for presentation once the card is submitted online. Saving a screenshot is still a cheap backup.

7. Common mistakes

• Using the wrong website. The official site warns that fake sites imitating the e-Arrival Card service have appeared and that the only official site is www.e-arrivalcard.go.kr. It is free, so do not pay anyone.
• Submitting too early, or flying late. The window opens 3 days before arrival and validity runs 72 hours from submission, so a delayed trip needs a fresh card.
• Wrong information. The guide warns that false information can bring penalties or entry restrictions under Korean law, and the same applies if someone submits false details for you.
• Missing an outage. The official notice list shows scheduled interruptions, including one from October 8, 2026, 18:00 to October 9, 2026, 02:30. Check the notice page if the site will not load, and try again later.
• Email delays. The site has a notice about delayed email delivery to some providers such as Gmail. The issue number is useful but not required.

8. If you forget

The guide says the site works on a smartphone (mobile web), and Incheon's page says you can submit until you hand in your arrival card. So you can still file on your phone before you reach the immigration desk.

9. Quick answers

• Cost: free. Approval: none; it is processed as provided.
• Biometrics: separate from the card. Incheon's page says foreign nationals aged 17 or older give fingerprints and a facial image at inspection.
• Checking if you need one: the e-Arrival Card site has a navigator where you pick VISA, K-ETA, RESIDENCE CARD or NONE.

Rules can change, so confirm on the official sites before you fly.